that belongs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that belongs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or association, often in contexts where something is identified as being part of a particular group or category. Example: "This is the book that belongs to Sarah, and she left it at my house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A right that belongs to everybody.

The New York Times

That is something that belongs to me".

The Guardian - Film

"Nothing that belongs to it exists anymore".

The New York Times

"All that belongs to another world.

The New York Times - Style

A history that belongs to Glasgow".

The Guardian - Sport

"That's a decision that belongs to the courts".

The New York Times

By rights, that belongs to the UK as a whole.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm a man that belongs alone," Kiwanuka tells us.

The Guardian - Music

"It's a windfall that belongs to the city".

The New York Times

"This one, and a house that belongs to another man.

The New Yorker

Each note has an endless pattern that belongs to it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that belongs" to clearly indicate ownership, membership, or a close association between two entities. Ensure the context provides sufficient clarity as to what exactly is being possessed or associated.

Common error

Avoid using "that belongs" when the relationship is merely incidental or temporary. "That belongs" implies a more enduring connection than simply being present at a location or time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that belongs" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by specifying ownership, association, or inclusion. As Ludwig confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that belongs" is a versatile relative clause used to denote ownership, association, or inclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It is commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, with a neutral formality level. When using "that belongs", it's important to ensure that the relationship being described is clear and appropriate for the context. Be mindful of the scope of ownership and avoid using it for incidental or temporary associations. Alternatives such as "that is owned by" or "that is part of" can be used to add nuance or clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is owned by

Replaces "belongs" with a more explicit term of ownership.

that is the property of

Emphasizes legal or formal ownership.

that is part of

Indicates inclusion within a larger group or category.

that is associated with

Suggests a connection or relationship, not necessarily direct ownership.

that is assigned to

Indicates a designated or allocated association.

that pertains to

Similar to "appertains to", but slightly more common.

that is attributed to

Suggests origin or creation by someone or something.

that appertains to

A more formal and less common way of indicating relevance or connection.

that falls under

Implies categorization or jurisdiction.

that is the responsibility of

Highlights accountability or duty.

FAQs

How do I use "that belongs" in a sentence?

Use "that belongs" to identify something as being owned by or associated with a specific person, group, or category. For example, "This is the book "that belongs to Sarah"." or "This tradition is something "that belongs to our culture"".

What can I say instead of "that belongs"?

You can use alternatives like "that is owned by", "that is part of", or "that is associated with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that belongs to" or "that belongs at"?

While both can be grammatically correct depending on the context, "that belongs to" typically indicates ownership, while "that belongs at" indicates a suitable place or location. For example, "This book is "that belongs to me"" versus "This artifact is something "that belongs at the museum"".

What's the difference between "that belongs" and "that pertains"?

"That belongs" usually implies ownership or membership, while "that pertains" suggests relevance or applicability. For example, "This car is "that belongs to my father"", versus "This rule is something "that pertains to the new law"".